Great job. Now when are we going to get back to Jack and Sue? Pretty please?

Wow! I had to catch up again. I love how each couple is getting a ghost story of their own, and I agree with the others...that train thing was creepy! I also appreciate that you've put research into this. That's a sign that you're really interested in what you're writing, and the difference it makes in the quality of the story is enormous. GREAT JOB!

Sorry! This one went different from how I had planned! Blame it on the characters....I just write what they tell me to. :whistle:

“We’ll be going to Cogswell Hall tonight which is part of the Ballard Residential Complex of dormitories,” Martha was telling Lucy and Myles as she drove them through the campus on the golf cart. “Melville Ballard, Galludet’s first graduate and then a teacher for 50 years in the Primary Department which is now known as the Kendall School. Ballard, an avid storyteller, had a wide range of knowledge on many subjects and a meticulous attention to detail. Fluent in English, Latin, and French, he was often asked by Congressmen General James Garfield to translate documents from French Emperor, Napoleon III,” she continued.

“Ballard sounds alike like you, Myles,” Lucy called from the front seat. Levi barked in agreement from beside him causing him to scowl down at him.

“Don’t encourage her,” Myles groaned miserably, but he had to admit she was right. Though Phillip and Elizabeth would be much prouder of his accomplishments, Myles thought wryly as his parents were always one to associate success with prestige.

Pulling up in front of the dorm, Lucy was in awe of the decorations and the lights coming from the house. Pictures of ghosts and goblins hung in the windows while it looked like a thunderstorm inside the house with ‘lightning’ flickering on and off. Students in costumers milling about in the yard stopped to watch as they approached.

“Look at all this,” Lucy insisted her eyes wide in awe. “Isn’t this great?”

“Yeah, great,” Myles muttered as Levi pulled him off the golf cart. Lucy bounded off the cart after them shuffling around to walk with Martha up to the house with Levi and Myles behind them.

“Hi, Tim, Melanie,” Martha signed and said. “These are our guests for this evening, Lucy, Myles, and SD Levi.”

“We hope you enjoy your evening,” Melanie signed as Tim spoke, both of them smiling broadly.

“I’m sure we will,” Lucy easily signed back. Myles having seen this and then having the students look at him he sheepishly signed, THANK-YOU.

“The residents have prepared a special meal for you both followed by a tour of our ‘haunted house’,” Martha explained.

Myles was getting quite used to everyone signing as they spoke but he was still very uncomfortable in this new environment. Why did Garrett put me in this situation? he wondered frustrated. Thomas should be here! Head down, he followed them up the front steps not noticing the little girl with the sad eyes that walked beside him.

In the house, they were taken to a large dining room decorated spookily for Halloween with cobwebs and witches, bats and spiders. The table was set with a variety of ghoulish looking food. A black cauldron sat in the center with billowing clouds of smoke rising from it.

Taking the seat he was shown, Myles panicked when he found Lucy was going to be across the table from him. He clutched at Levi’s leash as a student sat down on either side of him. Calm down, Leland, this is just like any other social situation when you don’t speak their language, he told himself. Just smile and nod.

He felt something tug at his sleeve. Looking at the little girl next to him, the first thing he noticed was her sadness. For someone so young she looked like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders. She didn’t speak, but put her fingers to her mouth and pointed to the food on the table and then to Myles.

“Oh,” Myles realized what she was signing. EAT, he repeated, picking up a bowl with greens and seed pomegranate and then passed it to her with a smile. When she signed THANK-YOU, he was proud that he remembered how to sign, YOUR-WELCOME.

Maybe this isn’t going to be so bad after all, Myles thought as he and the little girl continued to communicate one word at a time.

At first, Lucy was worried about Myles embarrassing himself or her. As she watched from the other side of the table, she smiled as Myles and his new little friend communicated without words.

She would sign at times pointing until he understood. Other times they would make shapes and symbols until he understood then she would show him the sign. Each time she showed him a sign he would repeat it like she’d just given him a precious gift.

By the time the meal was over, Myles had grown quite comfortable with the situation so much that he didn’t realize that his dinner companion was the only one not talking as she signed. Martha, who had been sitting next to Lucy during dinner, had explained that Abby, the little girl, wasn’t deaf.

Unfortunately, as a baby Abby had Epiglottis and the swelling was so severe that damage was done to her larynx that she never learned to speak. When she ran into problems with teasing from the other kids at her school, her parents enrolled her in Kendall School. Since there were other non-oral students at the school, she was beginning to feel more comfortable but still very shy.

“Okay, it’s time to go through the haunted house!” Martha announced after flashing the lights on and off to get everyone’s attention.

“Where’s the haunted house?” Lucy asked.

“Here, of course,” Martha smiled. “Cogswell Hall is its own haunted house year round not just on Halloween,” she explained. “Legend has it that the dorm is haunted by the spirit of a little girl, that at least one student has said they’ve seen, and possibly another more hostile one.”

Since the residents were very familiar with the stories, the group move towards the stairs as Martha continued to Lucy and Myles. Only Abby remained with the adults looking up at Myles adoringly.

“Student stories have included blankets being yanked off, an unplugged alarm clock going off, papers being moved with no draft or breeze and feelings of being watched. At least one student has been tapped awake only to find no one there,” Martha resumed. “In addition, this location was supposedly along the path of the Union Army during the war and several hearing students have reported to have heard hoof beats across the grounds at night.”

“Wow, spooky!” Lucy exclaimed. Myles looked at her amazed that she actually believed this, only to see her looking at him or actually down at his side. Attached to his leg was his little friend looking up at him with the prettiest smile he’d ever seen.

A/N: The latest: As of 2/2/01, this has been the site of 2 student murders in 4 months.

I think someone just walked over my grave. I think the scary part is two people were murdered there.

When the carriage slowly lumbered up to their destination, Jack immediate recognized the location just south of Lafayette Square. The Octagon House was used as a temporary “Executive Mansion” by President Madison after the burning of the White House by the British in 1814.

Reluctantly, Jack jumped down turning to help Sue from the carriage. Her hands lightly on his shoulders, he gripped her waist slowly lowering her to the sidewalk. Their eyes connected as her feet touched the ground, neither of them hearing the carriage pull off down the street.

His fingers tightened around her waist pulling her closer his hands tracing the lines of her back. Her lips parted as she took a shaky breath while his head descended his eyes transfixed on her mouth.

Their lips were just inches apart when Jack suddenly jumped spinning around instinctively reaching for his gun in his waistband. Sue blinked up at him in surprise and disappointment before following his gaze to an old man on the street.

“Excuse me,” he was saying. “I didn’t mean to interrupt,” the old man smiled noticing the way the dark-haired man had his arm protectively around the blonde woman as their cheeks tinged pink in the darkness. “I hope you and your wife have a nice evening,” he tipped his hat and scurried off down the sidewalk before either of them could correct him.

“Well, um,” Jack stammered, turning towards Sue trying not to get lost in her eyes again. “I guess we need to go inside to see what Garrett has up his sleeve for us tonight,” he smiled reassuringly hoping that she couldn’t feel his heart beating through his shirt as he held her to his side.

“Okay,” Sue agreed softly as they started to walk up the sidewalk. Turning to look over her shoulder, she asked confused, “Where’d the carriage go?”

Jack laughed opening the door to a grand foyer lit with several bright electric lanterns. A tall curving staircase led to the upper floor. A parlor room was off to the right of the foyer with a dining area to the left.

Closing the door behind them, Jack noticed a note propped on the table beside them addressed to Mr. Hudson and Ms. Thomas. Getting Sue’s attention, he pointed to the note allowing her to pick it up. Placing a hand on her waist, he read over her shoulder:

I hope you have a wonderful evening together. Dinner is waiting for you in the dining room. After, please enjoy a tour of the house. You both deserve this and a lot more.
Best Wishes, Ted

“I thought the game Garrett had planned was a surprise,” Jack admitted when Sue looked back at him. “The man surprises me more and more every day.”

“Well, I always thought he was a big teddy bear,” Sue confessed smiling.

“Don’t let him hear you say that!” he laughed. “It will ruin the image he thinks we have of him.” Laughing, they turned to find out what they had waiting for them in the dining room.


Hmmm....I guess I could leave it there. :whistle: Unless you all want more?

The candlelight dinner only heightened the tension between the couple. When their hands would innocently touch on the table, sparks would fly like fireworks on the Fourth of July. Sue and Jack shared long lingering glances as they prolonged their meal as long as they could.

Sue blushed as she looked into his dark eyes. She’d had dinner with Jack before but tonight was definitely different and she couldn’t figure out why. Nothing had changed, though his tight black t-shirt made her thoughts wander.

Jack had taken off his jacket when they sat down to eat. Sue’s eyes were immediately drawn to his broad shoulders outlined in the shirt. His sweaters and dress shirts that he normally wore at work didn’t do him justice.

“Well, would you like to take a look around?” Sue asked nervously trying to get her thoughts on something other than the man across from her.

“Sure,” Jack replied reluctantly reaching behind her to pull out her chair for her as he stood. When his arm brushed hers, his breath caught again as he gazed into her eyes until she stepped away shyly.

Jack and Sue explored the parlor marveling in the old books and antique furniture. They discovered the parlor was the favorite room in the house for First Lady Dolly Madison during her time there in the early 1800s.

“She’s beautiful,” Sue pointed to a picture of Dolly Madison on the wall of the parlor. Disregarding her Quaker upbringing, Dolly chose the finest of fashions during her time at the White House. Many people likened her to a Queen.

Exiting the parlor in front of Jack, Sue looked up the steps to see a regal, raven-haired beauty on the stairs, her white ball gown flowing around her. Sue turned to get Jack but when she turned back the woman was gone. Running to the bottom of the stairs, she looked up confused.

“Sue, what’s wrong?” Jack came up beside her worried when she disappeared so quickly from the room. Sue’s face was a mixture of bewilderment and alarm. “Sue,” he finally got her attention. “Are you okay?”

“Um, yes,” she lied not believing she actually saw what she did and not wanting to make a fool of herself.

“Okay, let’s go see what’s upstairs,” Jack suggested taking her arm to escort her up the winding staircase.

They entered a room at the top of the stairs seeing the bed they self-consciously broke apart moving to different parts of the room. Like they were investigating a suspect’s room, Jack and Sue looked at the various odds and ends on opposite sides the room. Though their backs were to each other several feet apart, they could feel every move the other made.

As Sue passed the mirrored chest, she peeked at Jack’s reflection admiring his body while he wasn’t looking. Suddenly out of the corner of her eye, she caught an image on the bed. Turning, she screamed when she realized the image was that of a man with a gun. Hearing her scream, Jack spun grabbing his gun from his waistband scanning the room as he rushed to Sue’s side.

“What is it?” he asked cradling her cheek in his hand worried at the fear he saw in her eyes.

“On the bed,” she cried. “A man on the bed,” she threw her arms around his neck seeking the comfort of his arms. Jack wrapped his arm around her turning back to the bed but seeing nothing. He held her until her shudders calmed. Holstering his gun, Jack put her back from him to search her face.

“It’s okay. Nothing’s there, Sue,” Jack told her. “It was probably just shadows.” He was relieved when she took a deep breath and nodded. Rubbing his hands up and down her arms, he hoped to stop her shivers.

“Come on,” Jack said putting his arm around her shoulders leading her from the room. Sue was obviously very shaken by what she saw. He wondered if she might have seen something early at the bottom of the stairs and didn’t want to tell him.

At the top of the stairs, Sue stopped suddenly. Tightening his arm around her, Jack looked down at her then followed her gaze to a girl standing on the stairs below them. When he opened up his mouth to say something, he watched in horror at the girl turned and slowly fell down the stairs.

Jack and Sue rushed down the stairs together stopping as the approached the bottom. Expecting to see the girl lying in a heap, they looked at each other in shock as they found nothing.

Jack pulled Sue with him to grab his jacket off the chair in the dining room. Throwing it over her shoulders, he hurried her out the front door. I may be an FBI agent, but that…that…, he thought. We’re out of here!

A/N: The Octagon House is the former home of First Lady Dolly Madison--whose ghost is said to be active here--it was also the site of 2 young women falling to their deaths in similar ways and a murder in one of the upstairs bedrooms. :whistle:

Wow this is so interesting...how you are weaving the stories into the individual couples is brilliant. Great job...keep it coming.

I really dont blame them doing this I would have too ....
So now MORE please MORE.....

Fantastic! You obviously did some major research for this story!! I love it! The creepy stories paired with the lovely moments make wonderful combinations. I have a feeling that Garrett did some research too and decided to rattle his agents and their partners up at bit... at least I sure hope so! It'd be pretty freaky if this stuff wasn't planned...

Keep up the exquisite work!!

Kristal this is an amazing story and so full of facts! At least I am taking you at your word on the history. Correct me if I'm wrong! I am loving this and how fun for all the couples. Skeeeery yes, but really good writing!

Well, I never thought I'd see Jack turn tail and run. I love it.

Wow, Kristal, this is AWESOME in absolutely every way! What a fantastic story, loving every single post!

And I'm excited too - since today's the 28th and the challenge closes on the 31st, it doesn't take a crystal ball to tell me that we are going to be getting more of your wonderful posts soon - yippee!!!

Lost in each others’ arms, D and Donna were waiting on the platform of the Metro Center station for the next train. The romantic night they shared on the yacht not hampered by the strange sounds both of them heard of the shores of Fort McNair but neither of them would admit to. With the knowledge the house would be empty when they got home since the kids were at her parents, they were both anxious to get back to the apartment to pick up their car and call it a night.

“D, Donna,” they heard called by a familiar voice. Looking in the direction, they saw Tara dragging Stanley up the escalators towards them. “Fancy meeting you here. Did you enjoy your scavenger hunt?” Tara asked.

“Well, I’m not sure it was one,” Donna admitted looking lovingly up at her husband as he held her close.

“Oh,” Stanley stated. “What was it then?”

“We went where our first clue sent us and found a yacht that took us on a cruise around the Potomac,” D explained watching Tara’s mouth gape open.

“A yacht!” she exclaimed.

“With dinner onboard, all provided by Mr. Garrett,” Donna told them a little bit of amazement still in her voice. D proceed to elaborate on the details, of course leaving out the incident about hearing the hoof beats and the horses falling into the water, since he was sure it was just the power of suggestion.

“That’s totally unbelievable!” Tara confessed. “Garrett had dinner set up for us on top of the Old Post Office Pavilion Tower.”

“And our host was Jiminy Cricket,” Stanley said in very serious tone of voice causing the others to laugh and a pink tinge to cover his cheeks. Before he could embarrass himself further, Tara explained their evening to the others as they boarded the train for the trip home.

“Myles!” D called out seeing him coming through the doors with Lucy and Levi. Myles had a scowl on his face that made everyone laugh.

“What’s the matter Myles, wouldn’t they give you any candy when you went trick or treating?” Tara teased.

“If you must know the train is running 3 minutes late and we’re supposed to be back at the apartment by 3:00am,” he explained. “If we run at this rate, we will be late getting back and a deplore tardiness.”

Everyone tried not to laugh but after a moment it just came flooding out. No one could control it D and Tara laughing so hard their sides hurt.

“Poor Lucy,” Donna managed to get out. “Did you have to put up with this all night?”

“No,” Lucy declared to everyone’s amazement. “Myles got himself a girlfriend!” she stated loving the way Myles squirmed when she said that.

“Did not!” he protested.

“Did too,” Lucy disagreed smiling.

“Did not?” he crossed his arms in front of him defiantly.

“Did too.” Lucy argued.

“Did…” Myles stopped, a sly grin coming over his face when he realized what she was doing. “I met a young lady, much finer company than I brought with me and she’s just jealous,” he teased.

“Me, jealous,” Lucy scoffed. “You’re delusional.”

“Children, children,” D scolded like he’d done so many times with his own kids. “Play nice!”

“Who is this young lady?” Donna asked curious.

“Will we meet her?” Tara wondered amazed that anyone would want to spend more than 5 minutes in a room with Myles.

“Abby’s a student at Galludet,” Myles confessed. There were several raised eyebrows at the mention of the school's name but no one said a word.

“A student? Going after them young aren’t you?” D asked shocked.

“I wasn’t ‘going after’ her,” Myles said looking at him sarcastically. “She was a very nice young lady and we had a nice dinner conversation…”

“In sign language!” Lucy interrupted smiling broadly causing Myles to blush in embarrassment.

“Oh, look there’s Bobby!” Myles announced hoping the new arrivals would distract the others. Everyone turned to greet them as the doors opened at the stop and Bobby came in with his arm around Darcy.

“Well, it’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s superagent!” Tara joked and Bobby posed in response causing everyone to laugh.

“Hey,” Darcy said taking a seat beside the others. “I guess all we’re missing is Jack and Sue to have the gang back together before we head back to the apartment.”

“They’ll probably catch up with us there…” Donna offered.

“If they’re not out somewhere making out by the moonlight,” Bobby quipped only to get slapped on the arm by Tara.

“Shh, leave them alone,” Tara admonished him as he gave her a sad puppy dog face.

“I wonder what is waiting for us back at the apartment,” Stanley finally spoke up having been quiet through most of the conversation.

“Well, after what I hear you’ll have been through and what we’ve had tonight,” D admitted, “I’m very curious as to why we had to be back at a specific time tonight.” The others agreed as they settled down waiting for their stop.

I'm wondering too? Why do they have to be back at a certain time ...And where is Jack and Sue

I'm wondering too, but much more important than that, I've got to say just HOW much I enjoyed the warmth and humour in that post, was great! I'll be so sorry to see this story end

Still, maybe Kristal will give us lots of fuzzies in her other, equally superb story - please?!?!

How about we up the rating on this post. Say PG 13. If you think it needs to be higher let me know.

Sue allowed Jack to lead her into her apartment building, her arms wrapped around herself as she battled the tremors racing through her body from the chill of the night and the fright she’d just experienced. Her teeth chattered violently as she rubbed her arms through Jack’s jacket trying to create some heat but it was a useless battle.

She felt foolish at reacting this way but Sue couldn’t control the shivers that had been running through her body since they left the house. Too many ghost stories as a kid, she though ruefully. Thankful that Jack had insisted on getting a cab instead of walking back through the park to the Metro, she really just wanted to curl up in bed and make all the memories go away.

“You’re still shaking like a leaf,” Jack commented concerned reaching for her. Sue leaned into his embrace, realizing she needed it more than anything she’d ever needed before in her life. Jack’s body tensed for a moment and then he relented, slipping his arms around her holding her tight.

“I’m sorry…” she whimpered snuggling closer to him. The feel of his arms was a welcome balm, but Sue knew it was only temporary. Soon they’d be back to treating each other like nothing more than co-workers and good friends. As much as Sue wanted to forget the evening, she admitted to herself that the closeness she felt with Jack was something she didn’t want to give up.

Jack hesitated, knowing what he was feeling was so wrong and yet. The feeling of her in his arms was overwhelming his senses as he’d been fighting these growing urges all evening. He was afraid if he didn’t let her go he never would, but his heart just wouldn’t let him release her.

Sue looked up at his face her hands pressing his back through his t-shirt. Nothing could hide the emotions in her eyes. He saw it then, and it released the words from inside him. Released the soul trapped within him to let her know the single most important truth to his existence.

“I love you,” he blurted out and closed his eyes, pained by his admission and how it could hurt her. After a moment, he opened his eyes, continuing with his confession. “I try not to, but I can’t stop.”

Something raced through Sue driving away the chill from before. It brought a half smile to her lips as she reached up, cradling his face, and admitted, “Me, too. I can’t either.”

Sue met his gaze and there was not longer any doubt about what she wanted from this man, for that was the way she thought of him. He wasn’t her training agent. He wasn’t just a friend. He was the man she loved with all her heart. Leaning toward him, she tentatively raised her face to him. He met her kiss, his lips tasting hers, his hands going to her back to urge her closer.

Drawing comfort at first, it wasn’t long before the passions they had contained for so long erupted. Cupping the back of her head, Jack deepened the kiss as Sue opened her mouth against his tasting him.

Jack slowly pulled away, planning light kisses across her jaw line as his hand at the back of her neck trembled. It made sense to stop now, if he not he didn’t know if he could later.

Running her hand along the side of his face, Sue couldn’t believe she’d just experienced that. It made the fright she had early well worth it. She sucked in a breath her gaze locked with his as he rubbed his thumb against her cheek.

“Jack,” she whispered her mouth suddenly dry.

“The others will be here soon,” Jack sighed closing his eyes against the emotions racing through him. “I’d like to keep this…um, well, the new developments between us for now,” he corrected himself knowing that their co-workers already suspected the attraction between the two of them.

Reluctantly, Sue agreed though it took them several more moments to separate. Jack took the keys from her unlocking the door to allow her to precede him into the apartment. As Jack turned to shut the door, Sue entered the living room. Seeing a man sitting only on a chair in the dark corner of the room, she let out a bloodcurdling scream.

Wow, Kristal I am all warm and fuzzy and then :eek jaw drops:
This is great! Can't wait for more!

Awh, those fuzzies were lovely got a huge, big goofy grin on my face and I'm just about to go back and read it again!!!

I am seriously hoping that it's Garrett sitting in the apartment, in which case it's probably just as well Jack and Sue managed to peel themselves apart before they got there!!

Yikes, can you imagine what it would have been like if it had turned into one of those 'rip each other's clothes off as you get in the front door' scenes that you see in the movies?!?!?!?! Don't know who would have been more embarrassed!!

Okay, can I just say emotional whiplash!!!!

Who is he and how did he get there!!!!???!!!

Great job! Please add more soon I really want to know what happened.

Wow Krystal that was great. Please dont keep it Pg 13 on my account. HaHa!

Who's the man?

How cruel to take us from such a great scene full of warm fuzzies into a cliffhanger?

Nice post! I'm waiting to read who that man is...

Side note: Kristal, have you ever watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer?

Very nice post! I love that they're both feeling the same way here, but don't know how to admit it.


Then,Liked that line


And of course, Now I've melted into a puddle of warm fuzzies...


But THEN: Did ya really have to throw a bucket of cold water on us? Were we behaving that badly? Okay, I can think of a few readers who were maybe enjoying it a tad too much (I know who you are!), but the rest of us were trying to behave! Honest, we were!


So...post again? Pretty please?

The gang was just coming up the stairs when they heard the scream. Acting on instinct, Bobby, Myles, and D dashed down the hallway regardless of the fact that none of them were armed.

“That sounded like Sue,” Lucy exclaimed as the men disappeared. Tara, Darcy, Lucy, Donna and Stanley scurried as fast as they could after them, Lucy struggling to contain Levi as he wanted to dart to the apartment.

Myles, Bobby and D paused slightly outside the door of the apartment before Bobby threw his leg up kicking the door in. The three men charged in only to stop short when they saw the scene before them.

Jack stood to one side of the living room his left arm around a wide-eyed Sue. It took them a minute to realize that the Count Dracula standing next to them was their supervisor, Ted Garrett. Both men were cradling their guns, which they had drawn when the door came crashing in.

“The door was unlocked,” Jack quipped smiling at the looks on the three men’s faces.

“Are you okay?” D asked concerned.

“We heard the shelia scream?” Bobby explained at the same time.

“What happened?” Myles questioned too. All three men were slowing relaxing as they surveyed the scene seeing nothing wrong.

“What were you going to do Crash?” Jack joked. “Take us out with your super powers,” Bobby gave him a withering look causing Jack and Sue both to chuckle.

“I startled Sue when they came home,” Garrett interrupted giving an apologetic smile in Sue’s direction. “She wasn’t expecting someone in the apartment, especially someone looking like this tonight,” he indicated his costume.

Darcy, Tara, and Stanley came through the door followed closely by Lucy, Donna and Levi all of them concerned about the scream they heard. Confusion spread over all of their faces as they saw their friends just standing around.

O-K-YOU, Tara signed to Sue from just inside the doorway. Seeing Sue nod, everyone began to relax. Once she was sure everyone was okay, a big smile spread across Lucy’s face as she noticed the arm Jack still have possessively draped around Sue’s waist.

“Garrett was just practicing his B&E skills and scared our Sue here a bit,” D replied holding his arm out for his wife wrapping it around her shoulders.

“Sorry about the door, shelias” Bobby confessed as Darcy put her arms around him. “I’ll pay to get it fixed for you.” Everyone laughed as they realized how funny it must have looked to see ‘Superman’ kicking a door down as he, ‘Gomez Addams’ and ‘Tarzan’ came to the rescue of a damsel in distress.

“Okay, if everyone is finished,” Garrett started as they calmed down from the laughing spell invoked by this image. “Please have a seat and I’ll tell you why I’m here.” The seriousness of his tone had everyone concerned as they moved to find someplace to sit.

“What’s up, Ted?” Jack asked wondering if it had something to do with the questioning he endured earlier this evening.

“Earlier tonight I briefed Jack on some developments on a White-Collar Crime case involving neo-Nazis that at the time the team might have been called in on,” Garrett started looking around at the team and their various partners he’d grown to know over the years. “Jack has all the details but I’ve learned you will be starting on this case Monday morning.”

“And that’s the reason for this unexpected visit?” Myles wondered aloud. “We can’t start on it until Monday, can we?”

“There’s something more, isn’t there?” Sue prompted quietly noticing the sad eyes on the man standing in front of them.

“Yes, Thomas,” Garrett smiled wryly. “Nothing much gets past you, does it?” Sue blushed slightly at his recognition as Jack tightened the arm he had around her on the sofa pulling her close.

Everyone smiled noticing the proud look in the agent’s eyes while he admired the beautiful blonde beside him. For the first time in a long time, Bobby just watched his best friend with the woman he loved not saying a word as he pulled Darcy closer to him.

“Well, she’s right,” Garrett said bringing everyone’s attention back to him. “The reason I briefed Jack on this case today instead of waiting until Monday is…I won’t be there Monday,” he continued sadly taking in the shocked expressions on everyone’s face.

“What do you mean you won’t be there?” D asked concerned. “Are you going on vacation?”

“No, I’ll be moving upstairs,” Garrett announced. “I’ve accepted the Assistant Director’s position with the Bureau.” Garrett stood around as everyone came forward expressing their congratulations. The big man grew uncomfortable at all the attention he was getting including the hugs from all the women in the room.

“Who’s taking over for you?” Myles questioned cringing as he received scornful looks from the others.

“It’s okay,” Garrett stated motioning for all of them to be seated again. After they all returned to their seats again, he continued. “After talking with Jack tonight and Director Mueller, we’ve decided that Ms. Thomas would be a great fit…”

“Thomas, she’s not even an agent,” Myles interrupted as everyone gaped in shock.

“Shut up, Myles!” Bobby ordered with a glare that would have melted granite.

“As I was saying, Thomas would be a great fit as an assistant to the new supervisor,” Garrett continued looking at Sue to make sure she’d understand. “It would still allow you to go into the field with the team, but enable you to help with more administrative issues particularly those involving the director’s office. You’d also would be consider administrative staff so the team rules and policies wouldn’t actually affect you.” He paused allowing it to sink in. When he saw the look Sue and Jack exchanged he knew they understood what he’d worked out.

“Thank you,” Sue acknowledged quietly. “But who’s the supervisor?” she worried about who it would be and if they would accept her like the others have.

“Well, if he’ll take it…” Garrett started looking pointedly at D.

“What? Me?” D wondered if he understood the look right.

“You have the experience and the skills,” Garrett explained. “If you’ll take it, I’d be honored to have you succeed me…and I think the team will be even better under your supervision.”

“Um,” D looked at his wife who was smiling broadly. “Yes,” he nodded back to Garrett then looked around at the rest of the team. “It looks like you got yourself a new supervisor!” he declared as he became the new center of attention in the room while everyone came over the congratulate him.

“Well, I think we need to celebrate,” Lucy proclaimed. “We still have all the food in the kitchen!”

“I’m in,” Bobby agreed clapping his hands together eagerly.

“You’re in whenever it has to do with food!” Sue laughed accompanying him to the kitchen.

“Hey, a growing boy’s got to eat,” he smiled.

One more post to finish it up!

I've seen Buffy a couple of times. My younger brother was a real fan...has all the seasons on DVD. LOL

Great story. so Sue can tell D to boss Jack around. :laughs:

We can only hope that Donna has taught D who's boss in a relationship.... :whistle:

Oh I love the twist. Very nice work.

Wow, fantastic job!! I never even considered that possibility when it came to the whole J/S relationship (in the office) issue. Very clever! I love it! Looking forward to that next post, but not looking forward to the end. However, this is wrapping up very nicely. More warm fuzzies, perhaps?

May sound a stupid question again, but have you seen the episode 'Surprise'?

But back to this story. I think you are doing an excellent job with this. Can't really wait to see what's going to happen next!

I just love it when I'm right! Have to say, wasn't expecting him to be dressed up as Dracula though! You know, I'm really starting to like Ted big time!

Hee hee hee :laughs: HEE HEE HEE!!!

Oh, I could carry on quoting for ages, don't even let me get started on the fuzzies as well as the funnies!!!

Way to go Kristal!!!! You've pulled this all together wonderfully - replying to the questions I asked in the introduction with just exactly the kind of answers we all wanted to hear!! Most definitely a win/win situation all round! Garrett is promoted , D is promoted , Sue is recognised for her contrubution to the team and Garrett has paved the way for Sue and Jack get to date Now we've just got one post to go (have to admit I'm sad about that) and we are all hoping it's going to be a fuzz-fest!!

Kristal, you are a babe!!!

Oh I am so glad it was Ted that was in the apartment. This has been a great story Kristal and that whole scene was wonderful and really funny too. Congrats to Ted and D on promotions and hurray for Jack and Sue for freedom to continue to move their relationship forward. Can't wait for the next post but hate to see this end.

Jack and Myles stayed behind to help cleanup, not that there was much food left after Bobby had gotten through with it. However, Jack would have used any excuse to stay a little longer with Sue.

Finally Myles sought out Jack and Sue to tell them goodnight. Finding them in the kitchen with Jack up to his elbows in soapsuds, he chuckled. Telling Levi to get Sue, he waited for her to turn around from the sink before talking.

“Hey, Jack, if you ever decide to leave the agency, you can always find work as a domestic,” Myles quipped. “Seems like Sue’s doing a good job at getting you properly cultivated into a well-groomed house husband,” he smiled at Sue as she blushed.

“Do you need something Myles or did you just come in here to gawk?” Jack demanded throwing a glaring look over his shoulder at the blonde agent.

“I was just coming in to bid you both a fond farewell,” Myles grinned. “Sue, I had a lovely evening. Thank you.”

“Lucy did most of the planning and preparation, but I’m glad you could come,” Sue told him going to give him a hug goodnight. Jack watched from the sink amused at how stiff Myles became when she wrapped her arms around him.

“Uh, um,” Myles stammered patting Sue’s back as she hugged him. Not one comfortable with showing affection, he was relieved when she released him. Running a hand through his hair, he mumbled a quick goodnight and hurried out of the room.

“Hey, if I would have known that was how to get rid of him,” Jack joked. “I’d have had you hug him when we got here tonight.” Sue smacked his shoulder as she moved back beside him to dry the dishes he was washing.

“Be nice,” she admonished smiling as he laughed.

“Does Levi need to go out before you go to bed?” Jack asked seriously.

“Probably,” Sue agreed looking down at Levi who was lying on the floor next to them. “I’ll take him when we get finished here.”

“I’ll go with you,” Jack offered quickly blushing slightly as he realized he was acting like a lovesick teenager. “I mean if you want, um…I can go…”

“No,” she placed her hand on his arm smiling up at him. “I’d like the company.” She was so close to him now, her blue eyes a window to her love for him.

Jack pulled his hands out of the water ready to wrap them around her when he heard Lucy cough behind them. Sue blushed but didn’t back away when he looked over his shoulder and she turned to see Lucy standing there.

“I just wanted to say good night,” Lucy smiled broadly looking from one to the other.

She’d hoped something would happen between the two of her friends tonight. How they’d been looking at each other all night and hadn’t let either get far out of their sight since they came back from their evening together, Lucy knew their relationship had changed. She promised herself she’d question Sue about it later. Right now, she was going to leave them alone.

“Good night, Luce,” Sue called as her friend backed out of the kitchen.

“Good night,” Jack said quickly when he realized she was leaving. Sue turned to gaze back up at him seeing a strange look on his face.

“What is it?” She questioned worried she might have missed something.

“Nothing, sweetheart,” he declared mentally kicking himself for making her worry. “I was just hoping that no one realized the change in, uh…”

“Us,” Sue offered smiling at his shyness.

“Uh, yeah,” Jack stammered putting his arm around her waist pulling her close.

“Jack, they’re a surveillance team,” she grinned. “You don’t really think they haven’t noticed how I haven’t taken two steps tonight without you being right there beside me,” Sue teased placing her hands on his shoulders.

“That obvious was I?” Jack questioned caressing her cheek tenderly with his fingers.

“It couldn’t have been more obvious if we were carrying a neon sign,” Sue stated running her fingers through his hair at the nape of his neck. “But that’s okay,” she smiled mischievously. “I’d put an ad in The Washington Post to tell everyone I’m so happy,” she continued more seriously. “Now that Garrett has worked it out for us at the office, we don’t have to worry about who knows.”

“Speaking of which, you’re not going to use your position to get me in trouble with the new boss, will you?” Jack teased lightly as he struggled with the fire building inside him as her fingers caressed his neck.

“Not yet, but I’m keeping my eye on you,” she joked reminding him of their undercover case where they shared their first kiss.

“Well, right now I think I want think I can handle you ‘keeping an eye on me’,” he stated placing a light kiss on her lips feeling the electricity course through him from the contact. “An eye…a hand,” he teased rubbing his cheek into her hand as she cupped his face. “Whatever you like?”

“I think I can go along with that,” Sue stated lifting her face to his her lips parting as he covered her mouth with his. Jack’s hands stroked her back as he pulled her to him their kiss deepening.

“How about I pick you up in the morning for breakfast?” Jack offered reluctantly breaking their kiss.

“Um,” Sue paused looking out the window at the dawn breaking over the city. “It is morning, Jack.”

“Okay, let’s go,” he quipped picking her up into his arms spinning her around in the kitchen.

“Jack, put me down,” Sue shrieked laughing. Jack dropped her legs allowing her to slide down his body to the floor the friction of the contact causing both of their breaths to quicken.

“Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?” Jack whispered his voice husky to his own ears.

“Oh, there are a lot of women who could have pulled this off a lot better than me,” Sue stated shyly lowering her eyes.

“Maybe, but,” Jack declared putting his finger under her chin to get her to lift her eyes back to his. “you’re the one that I want.” He lowered his head capturing her mouth again his passion overwhelming.

Sitting on the floor beside them expecting to go for a walk, Levi looked up cocking his head to one side as he viewed the humans’ actions. Lying down, he rested his head on his paws content on waiting as long as it took.

FADE OUT/THE END

Kristal, this was absolutely wonderful!!! What a creative take on the challenge! And the ending...well, you can never go wrong with warm J/S fuzzies, in my book at least. Of course, I'm probably the only one who thinks that! LOL

Looking forward to more stories from you!

I don't recall it. I didn't watch many of the shows before the Angel spinoff which my brother said was Season 4.

Should I ask him for the DVD?

I really enjoyed this story, Kristal. The way you had each couple have a close encounter, working in real ghost stories--it was great! I also loved the creative ending, changing the dynamics of the team so that Sue and Jack could date. This story was entertaining, educational and thought-provoking--wonderful job!

By the way, the ghost stories/legends were real stories based on events shared by the Washington DC ghostwalks. The locations were real also as I used to live in that area and visited DC often. For more information on the ghosts in DC please visit http://members.aol.com/waniehol/DCplaces.html

Thank you for reading.

Kristal this story was so entertaining and I really loved how you eneded it Sorry it had to end but looking forward to your next story! Hint hint!

Fantastic story. And using actual ghost stories was just genius.

Oh I could picture that scene in every timy little detail, and it was wonderful!

I just love that last line, Poor Levi, he could be there for some time ....!

Thank you for this fantastic story, Kristal, has been such a pleasure to read each and every post. You get a big from me!!

This was a really wonderful story and I loved the ending. I agree you can never go wrong with J/S fuzzies. The ending was a nice little meltdown.

Fantastic story! Loved the ending posts!

Definitely worked out great in the end for all!

Looking forward to more
Cassie

Sure, it's a nice episode! I just asked, because in Surprise there was same kind of conversation between Buffy and Angel, than Jack and Sue had in this story.


And please, don't take this wrong, I don't think that as a bad thing! It's just, when I read that piece of your story, that Buffy moment came into my mind and I just had to ask are you a Buffy fan too!

*******

But... This was a really nice fanfic! And I'm looking forward to read more of your works!

that was great

and I love that you used 'real' ghost stories in it!

a great story, with lots of atmosphere

with a great ending...loved poor Levi waiting patiently!

Hmm...I always considered myself an Angel fan...never really a Buffy fan...but maybe I'm a closet Buffy fan and didn't know it...like I was a closet M/T fan and didn't know that either...lol. I'm going to have to get that DVD from him now...I'm so curious... :whistle:

this was probably one of the best ones i've so far!!!!! i liked how you had scenes for each couple with a spooky part but also a cuddly part!

Wow! I can't believe all the research you put into that story! How absolutely A-MA-ZING! I am floored!